The Love That Is Left

By Haloless

Summary: During the first war. A wealthy housewife who is the victim of domestic violence. A lonely, unfulfilled man who seeks for something to live for. A young couple whose marriage is slowly falling apart. SSLE, JPNM.

Disclaimer: Yeah, really. Not mine.

A/N: Well, here it is. Chapter two- that is, if anyone even read chapter one. I have trouble getting reviews because I write about couples that would never end up together really (I used to have a few other stories on here, but I took them off), but I personally find it boring reading and writing about what we already know happened. But that's just me. Oh, and just in case you think I'm giving out the wrong message, this story is not about people cheating on each other. This is about people who never found true love and are searching for it. But really, if you are having problems with a relationship, you should not cheat. You should talk it out, or go for counseling, and if that doesn't work, then just get a divorce. If you or your kids are being abused by your spouse, again, get a divorce. Now, I'm not encouraging divorce here, either- just try to work your problems out. So yeah… if you read this, could you please review, for the sake of my abysmally low self-esteem levels? Thanks! –Haloless, Wingless Angel of the White Forest

Bluefurryelf- Don't worry; you will get more. Thank you so much, you're my first reviewer for this story! You rock!

Chapter Two: James

"Hello, James," the woman slurred, staring into my eyes.

She wasn't just any woman- it was her. Narcissa Malfoy. I hadn't actually seen her since my wedding almost two years ago, but I thought about her all the time. I had dated two girls during my final year at Hogwarts- Narcissa Black and Lily Evans, my wife. But then Narcissa's parents had arranged her marriage to Lucius Malfoy, whom she had grown to love eventually. I had never stopped thinking about her, though. When Lily and I had begun to have problems, I considered contacting her. Then, when our problems had grown larger, I did contact her. But she had reclined my offer, wishing to remain faithful to her husband. And now here she was, standing in my doorway.

"Narcissa," I breathed. I had forgotten how much I loved saying that name.

She nodded. "James."

We didn't say anything else- I took her hand and led her into the house.

I don't know exactly what happened between Lily and me- she hadn't just been a replacement for Narcissa. We had been madly in love when we were married, and for quite sometime after- until Harry was born. It was then that we realized we had nothing in common but the baby. There might have been some other factors, but if there were, we were clueless.

Narcissa spent the night. It was nice to finally have some company- Lily was always out. I started to wonder if I was the only one cheating.

When I woke up the next morning, she was gone.

"Narcissa?" I asked groggily, feeling around for her, "Narcissa?"

I shot up, realizing that I had been left again. "Narcissa!"

My son Harry stared at me from his crib.

"Mommy's gone," I informed him as I dressed. I had no idea if I meant Lily or Narcissa.

"Note!" exclaimed the one-year-old happily, pointing down at a piece of paper that had fallen from the bed.

I dived for it, struggling to unfold it, as if my life depended on it-

James,

Thank you so much. I had a wonderful time last night. I'm sorry that I must leave so early, but I do not know when Lily will be back. I figure that this way it is safer for both of us. But tonight, you must come to me. I am staying at Spinner's End with my best friend Severus Snape. I know that you and he don't get along, but for my sake, please be civil. I am counting down the hours.

-Narcissa

"James?" came a voice from downstairs. Lily had returned.

I stashed the note in my pocket hurriedly. "Just a second, Lil!"

I didn't have to go downstairs. She came up.

"Harry said 'note'," I muttered in greeting.

Lily raised an eyebrow. "And why would he say that?"

I shrugged. "Maybe he's going to be a musician or something? I don't know what goes on a baby's head!"

I felt kind of guilty, cheating on her, but somehow, I didn't think we were going to last anyway. We hadn't even kissed since we brought Harry back from St. Mungo's, let alone anything else.

I half expected her to catch on, but she just nodded and whispered, "Sì."

We didn't speak for the rest of the day. She stayed out of my way, I stayed out of hers. But finally, it was time.

"Dumbledore asked me to do some work for the Order tonight," I lied as I left, "I'll be gone until tomorrow morning."

Lily nodded, but somehow I think she saw right through me.

A/N: I'm sorry that chapter was so short, I'm finding it very difficult to write from James's point of view. I probably won't do that much later on, unless I need a short chapter. The next two chapters will definitely be longer, I promise. Well, until then… see ya! –Haloless, Wingless Angel of the White Forest